Our Story
Muirstead Farm started raising livestock with 3 Dexter Cattle ( a heritage breed) back in 1993. We are first generation farmers, meaning when we bought the farm in 1992 we didn't own any animals or equipment, the farm didn't have any fences.
Our farm is located along Pa State Route 6 in Union City, we set up a grazing plan that has increased the soil's organic matter, which in turn has made the soil hold more water and nutrients - this translates to more forage for our cattle, sheep and swine to consume. Another measurement of organic matter is how much longer our forage keeps growing when the rainfall is limited.
My wife and I graduated from Delaware Valley College (University now) with Bachelor of Science degrees in Animal Husbandry in 1979. Our knowledge of taking care of animals can be easily seen when visiting our farm ( farm visits are welcome by appointment - as we aren't always near the house to see you pull in). The animals are raised on hay and baleage in the wintertime (Erie County literally receives 12 feet of Lake Effect snow each season) with minimal grain to balance ration when the ewe is raising multiple lambs. During the late spring (when our clay soil is dry enough to support the animal's weight without leaving little puck marks; 12' of snow is a lot of moisture to dry out) and summer our animals are grazing.
We are very active in the Erie County Farm Bureau, Mark is an officer in the local volunteer fire department - Elgin Beaverdam Hose Co.